The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 216 Chapter 216 Chapter 216 Benedict froze, flustered. "Wait, wasn't this pistaccake? It's... lemon cake? Eliza's smile widened, but instead of warmth, it carried an icy sting, "Lemon cake, hmm? You sure about that? Are you really sure? Maybe take another guess. Since you're always so good at guessing, why not test yourself- see how many things I hate to eat you can get right?" Benedict's face went pale.

Eliza turned, voice laced with "Forget it. What I like or don't like has nothing to do with you anymore. I suppose it's natural you've forgotten such trivial things.

She took a step down the stairs and mocked, "After all, even if I won't eat it, there's someone who would, right? Why don't you wrap it up and take it back to your darling Sophie?" "No-Eliza, please, letexplain" Benedict panicked, tripping over his words. "I didn't mean to get you something you hate. I just... I wasn't thinking. It was automatic.

The more he spoke, the more ashamed he became. Now that he really thought about it-pistaccake, lemon cake-they were all Sophie's favorites. He'd chere to see Eliza, yet brought her something she detested, something his precious Sophie adored.

Benedict looked down at the cake in his hand, remorse clouding his eyes. "Eliza, I'm sorry. It's my fault. Letgo buy you something you actually like-please," But Eliza remained unmoved. Standing above him, her gaze was cold, almost distant. "Benedict... do you even remember what I like to eat?" I do! I swear I do," he rushed to say. "You like... roast duck! It's roast duck, right?? He looked at her with hopeful eyes, desperate for affirmation.

But Eliza just stared at him in silence.

And in that silence, Benedict knew-he'd guessed wrong. Again.

Not pistaccake. Not lemon cake. Not roast duck "Wait-wasn't roast duck Matthew's favorite? Why had he always confused everyone's preferences, lumped Eliza in with the rest? The pistaccake slipped from his hand and hit the ground with a dull thud. Benedict buried his face in his hands, crushed by self-loathing. Tm sorry, Eliza. I forgot, I can't believe I even forgot something like this..

He used to think he was the sibling who loved Eliza the most. But standing here now, he realized he wasn't even worthy of being called her brother. Especially not when she was looking at him like that-like a stranger.

Unable to bear it any longer, Benedict turned and fled, Eliza watched his retreating figure, then slowly descended the steps. She bent down, picked up the ruined box of pistaccake, pulled out one piece, and bit into it.

Her expression didn't change.

1/3 11:47 THE HEAD Meanshule; outside the Homeyodeur Palace, hope stood may thing he cup of coffee helimeed arop her head.

no "Keep it deady, Soplic and Clans If you are best aber key, then fer for goes tonight either" Ceuting her teeth, ale uued pleadingly ward Clarice personal cupine u Clarissa, maybe may the Hince, the Express fromager's engine arendant and her dhere to be this hot? I'm really seated have cared- Clarisa dada'y even blink Sorry, Lady Sophie But the ery girl went will clings toobervily to you. If you want to beca pipes lady of the palace, I must be word Sophies expression turned dak. Did this old long just insultShe clenched her jaw, suppressing her fury "But the King choseit burn my face during training, you'll be the one to explain it to lum "Is Clarissa raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed that so Sophie scoffed, "What part of that's wrong?" Clarissa's voice suddenly sharpened. All of it The King wid he was smitten and wanted you as a consort. That's why you're here to learn. But instead of studying seriously, all you care about is your face. Are you saying His Majesty is sshallow fool who only values a pretty skin Sophie flinched "That's not what I meant I never said that "Then why do you act like in Clarissa snapped. "You flaunt your favor like a weapon and ignore every rule I try to teach. Do you think that's how a royal consort behaves Sophie almost flung the cup off her head in rage. But before she could, Clarissa calmly pressed her back down onto her knees.

"My dear, she said coolly, "you clearly didn't learn any manner in the Stonor household. And from where I stand, you're nowhere near ready to enter the palace"

Clarissa added, "But since the King insisted you be trained. I'll make sure you learn. From now on, we'll drill the rules morning, noon, and might. Complete every task exactly as I instruct, and you might be fit to stand in His Majesty's presence.

Understood? "Understood," Sophie said through gritted teeth.

Three times a day? With this old witch? If not for the Empress dream still burning in her heart, she'd have thrown in the towel already.

Just wait, Sophie fumed silently. When I becEmpress, the first person I order executed is you, you shriveled little toad Too bad every thought played right across her face.

Clarissa saw it all-and later relayed everything word for word, to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager, flipping through a freshly delivered scripture from Saint Grace Nunnery, listened quietly and said, "I'm too old to care about such things. If the King asked you to train her, then train her he thorough-but don't waste your tmaking a masterpiece She's not entering the palace" She smiled faintly. "In a few weeks, the conson I selected w "Yes, Your Majesty, Clarissa said with a bow Handle this meus before then." 11:47 Fri, 18 Apr Chapter 217